The Dart Charge scheme is saving commuters up to 90 minutes per week, according to figures released by Highways England.

Journey times are said to have been cut by 56% since the payment barriers were wholly removed during the summer, despite slight growth in the volume of traffic.

Southbound travel is now seven and a half minutes quicker on average, whilst travelling northbound takes three and a half minutes less than before the project began.

Director Nigel Gray believes the figures represent clear success for the scheme.

He said: “Relieving congestion and speeding up journeys at the Dartford Crossing is what Dart Charge is all about.

“These really encouraging figures show what a difference Dart Charge is making for drivers. We still have more work to do, but I hope that these figures will reassure people that the improvements are real and that Dart Charge is working.”

Work to improve the crossing’s traffic safety system is ongoing, with drivers encouraged to avoid blocking junction exits and yellow box markings on roundabouts in the surrounding area.